Recertification in BRC and SQF standards
December 18, 2019
FIP of the Giant Squid Fishery
April 24, 2020
The Peruvian sea current has cold waters for the high production of marine species for human consumption, one of the largest in the world. The great diversity of ecosystems found there requires hard work between private enterprise and local government to protect marine spaces.
The WWF Peru and its Marine Programme promotes the sustainability and transparency of industrial fishing in the country. Several initiatives for the conservation of our marine biodiversity have led to programs such as the “Mahi-mahi Fishery Improvement in Peru” which seeks to implement a Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) for the Peruvian Mahi-mahi Fishery to improve the sustainability of fisheries and achieve MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certification.
Nicolás Rovegno, WWF Peru Marine Programme specialist and leader of the Mahi-mahi Fishery Improvement Project (Mahi-mahi FIP), explains the importance of PAN Mahi-mahi, an action plan created in a participatory way seeking to achieve MSC certification of fisheries based on three strategic lines:
- Sustainable stocks.
- To minimize the impact on species and ecosystems.
- To achieve effective fishery governance.
Mahi-mahi FIP
Mahi-mahi is one of the most important artisanal fisheries in Peru and represents up to 10% of the world's fisheries. However, the Peruvian sea needs to state regulations that will ensure its sustainability over time.
The initiative of the Mahi-mahi FIP began in 2013 and arose from the need of customers from the United States to buy mahi-mahi from an MSC certified fishery, so obtaining this certification would improve the competitiveness of Peruvian exporting companies in the international market.
The partnership between the private companies led by WWF in the country has been favorable to progress and achieve notable results, including:
- The standardization of the artisanal fishing fleet.
- At the international level, Peru has begun to participate in regional research spaces on mahi-mahi fishery.
- Publication of regulations to improve fisheries management.
What does it take to progress?
Transforming and promoting the effective management of fisheries is key in our country. Therefore, to continue and finally obtain the MSC certification, we need the constant support and collaboration of all the parties involved.
For Nicolas Rovegno, a specialist from WWF Peru, the completion of the formalization of the Mahi-mahi Fishing Improvement Project requires the active will of the fishermen and the industry, especially the national government to effectively implement and comply with the National Action Plan (PAN – Mahi-mahi) throughout the country.
Although the current process of the program management in Ecuador is expected to be completed by the end of this year, the NGO WWF Peru together with our organization Coinrefri SRL and multiple companies belonging to the industry continue working and making an active effort to promote, strengthen and certify the sustainability of the mahi-mahi species in the sea of our country as soon as possible.
If you're looking for more information about Mahi Mahi FIP, please visit: https://seafoodsustainability.org/portfolio/peru-mahi/
